Relay



Much 3o, 1943. E. A, EACH 2,314,885 I v n RELAY y Filed lay 22. 1941v f 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: n Edwad A. Leach;

Attorney.

Patented Mar. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT# OFFICE L :sims

, General Electric New York Applicaties my zz. mi, sei-in Nn. 394,737

Company, a corporation of 13 Claims. (Cl. 20F- IMT My invention relates to improvements in relays and more particularly to relays the frequency of the contact operations oi' which-is relatively high and the-contacts of which have to function satisiactorily under relatively severe voltage and insulating conditions. V

In radio reception and code transmission, there is frequently used a so-called antenna switching and keying relay the principal functions of which are to keep the receiver connectedwhen there is no transmission and to enable the desired transmissionl under the control of a sending key. In order to transmit rapidly and eifectively at a relatively high rate, for example 40 words per minute, the frequency of contact operations must necessarily be high. Prior relayk devices, with which I am familiar. have been unsatisfactory at high sending speeds because of the inertia of the moving parts including the contacts and the consequent repeated closing and opening of the contacts or bouncing before reaching a state of equilibrium in the closed position. This bouncing producesl false or chopped signal characteristics, which are a deterrent to clear and dependable reception. In some cases this chopped eii'ect has been more or less remedied by delaying the transmitter long enough jto rideover the period of vcontact bouncing. Although this time is relavolts and at relatively high altitudes, the problems of insulation and contact duty are especially severe particularly when weight reduction is imperative.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved relay in which the efi'ect of the inertia of the moving parts is so minimized as enectively to reduce contact bouncing. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved relay, the motion of whose contacts is so damped at contact closing as to eliminate bouncing even when the frequency of contact'operations is relatively high. A further object o f my invention is to provide an improved relay having double throw contacts which can be operated at high 4speed in a relatively high voltage circuit and under relatively rare atmospheric conditions. These and other objects of my invention hereinaftery appear in more detail.

In accordance with my invention I provide,

` particularly' for-a'double throw relay. a contact actuating mechanism which lis mechanically linked to the contact structure by means operative to damp the moving contact so as -to avoid bouncing during the direct contact actuating movement `'by said mechanism.- Also, according to my invention, I provide a contact actuating l tact damping action.

' .which permits -a free return of the actuating mechanism while dissipating the stored up energy,

the reverse movement of the movable contact being effected by resilient means independent of the contact actuating mechanism except that it has energy stored therein during the direct contact movement. Further, according toiny invention, I preferably provide a contact structure of. the so-called vacuum type in order to obtain the maximum interrupting service under high voltage and rare atmospheric conditionsI particularly in high frequency circuits.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying two sheets of drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. f

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a relay embodying my invention with the relay shown in the deenergized condition; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the relay shown in Fig. 1 with parts broken away for clearness, the contact mechanism being shown I have shown a relay comprising a plurality of .contacts l0, Il, and I2, which appear vmore clearly .in Fig. 3, and means for actuating one of the contacts I0 to cause it to engage either of the remaining contacts Il and i2 comprising an operating member I3. In order to obtain a relatively high interrupting capacity, the switching means so far described is preferably of the socalled vacuum type. examples of which are well known to the art. The vacuum switch illustrated includes an envelope I4, which is preierably of high insulating value, for example glass, and within which the contacts I8, II, and I2 and part of the operating member I3 are mounted. In order to secure good voltage gradients, the contacts II and I2 may be supported on suitable metallic ferrules, such as cups I! and I8, respectively. These are sealed to the envelope I4 and further provided with suitable insulation grading I1 at the junction. The contacts II and I2 are provided'with terminals I8 and i8, respectively, which may have wire connection nuts 28 and lock nuts 2l, as shown. In the use of my device as akeying relay, the transmitter and receiver are respectively connected to the terminals I8 and I8.

The operating member I3 extends through the wall 22 of a metallicferrule or cup 23 which is suitably sealed to and serves to complete the enclosure of the envelope I4. This end wall 22 to which the operating member I3 is suitably se-v cured as by soldering, or lthe like, is sufiiciently flexible to constitute a fulcrum for the operating member at an intermediate point thereof.

Y The switching means so tar described is suitably supported onand insulated from a relay base or supporting structure 24 by an insulating post 28 suitably secured to the base 24 as by screws 28. Suitably secured to the post 28 as by a screw 21, is a metallic headmember 28 in a socket of which is set and clamped, as by one or more set-screws 2|, the cup 23 with the operating member I3 extending through an enlarged opening 38 on the lower side of the head. Also the head 28 is provided with a terminal 3i to which, in the keying application of my relay, the antenna is connected. Thus, depending upon whether contact IiI engages contact II or contact I2, the antenna is connected either to the transmitter terminal I8 or the receiver terminal I9.

In accordance with my invention, I provide biasing means for turning the operating member I3 in a direction, clockwise as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, to cause the contact I to engage the contact I2. This biasing means may be exterior to the envelope I4 and adjacent the fulcrum wall 22 although it could be positioned elsewhere as far as my invention is concerned. As shown, the biasing means comprises a plunger 32 which is slotted at its upper end to engage a attened portion 33 of the operating member I3 and which slides in a suitable opening in a projection 34 on the head 28. Associated with the plunger'32 is a rod 35 which carries suitable resilient means, such as a compression spring 38. For purposes of adjustment, this spring is backed by a member 31, as shown in Fig. 3, threaded into the projecting portion 34 of the head 28.

For turning the operating member in a direction, counter-clockwise las viewed in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, to cause the contact I8 to engage the contact II, I provide, in accordance with my invention electromagnetic means which is effective, through resilient means, to produce the desired turning action without causing contact bouncing. As shown, this electromagnetic means comprises two series connected energizing windings 38, a magnetic structure comprising a core tie member 33 and two pole pieces 40. 'I'his electromagnetic structure is suitably secured to a non-magnetic supporting member 4I which is, in turn, sup- `tacts 8|, as shown in Fig. 1,

asians ported on two uprights 42 suitably secured to the base 24, as by screws 43. Movable by the magnetic structure described is an armature which is mounted on a shaft 48 so as to be positioned adjacent the ends of the pole pieces 48. The shaft 48 and the amature 44 are biased for clockwise movement, as viewed. in Fig. 2. by suitable means, such as a spring 46. In order to adjust the pickup of the armature 44, the spring 48 may be adjustably positioned on the support 4I through the medium of an adjustable post 41. The gap between the armature 44 and the pole pieces 40 may be adjusted by suitable means, such as a screw 48, in order to secure the desired angular movement of the operating member I3. Since high speed operation is necessary, the shaft 48 may be mounted in ball bearings 48, or the like, supported in the uprights 42. Inasmuch as it is desirable to be able to control other auxiliarycircuits in response to the movement of the armature 44, the shaft 48 may be of insulating material and have mounted thereon contacts 88 which cooperate with stationary con These stationary contacts are mounted on insulating members 82 suitably secured between the uprights 42. Terminals 83., mounted on an insulating member 84 carried by the uprights 42, may be provided ior connections to the windings 38 and to certain of the movable contacts 88 and to the upper one of the stationary contacts 8|, all as shown in Pig. 1.

For purposes of contact gap adjustment, each of i operating member extends.

the stationary contacts 8I may be mounted on a screw 85 which is adjustably positioned relatively to the supporting member 82 and provided with a lock nut 88. For mounting the relay so as to minimize shocks, the base 24 may be provided with a plurality of resilient buffers, such as rubber cylinders Il through which mounting screws, or the like, can be inserted.

The resilient means through which the movement of the armature 44 and the shaft 48 is imparted to the operating member I3 is, in accordance with my invention, arranged to cumulate energy in the counter-clockwise movement (as viewed in Figs. 3, 4 and 5) of the operating member to prevent bouncing upon engagement of the contacts I0 and II without tending to cause bouncing when the operating member moves clockwise to eii'ect engagement of contacts I8 and I2 under the biasing action of the spring 38. As illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, this resilient means comprises an L-shaped leaf spring 88 hinged on a pin 88 which is carried by a rotatably mounted element such as a disk 6I mounted on the end of the shaft 48 adjacent the end I3' of the operating member I3. Above the Spring 59 is a channel-shaped member 62 also movable about the pin and forming a partial housing for the spring. At the end of the housing 82 opposite the pin 80, the housing carries a cross member 83 in the path of movement of the longer leg of the spring 53. The short leg of the spring extends Atowards the end i3 of the operating member I3. Below the end I3 of the operating member, there is pivotally mounted on a pin 64 in the disk 6I an L-shaped member 88 through a hole 88 in which the end I2' of the As shown, the short leg portion of the member 85 may be channelshaped, as shown, for strength and stiffness and also partially to guide the end I3 of the operating member. The end 81 of the short leg portion of the member 85 furthermore constitutes a spring support or fulcrum just to the left of the fulcrum 63.y In order to adjust the iulcrums' and 61 relatively to the spring, the members 62 and 65 are backed by screws 66 and 63 adjustably positioned in the disk 8|. In accordance with my invention the adjustment of these screws relatively to the end I3' of the operating member. I3 is such that, the short leg of the spring thev contact l2.

energy stored inthe spring 53 is released and 53 is just clear of the end I3 when the contact In is in engagement with the contact I2 as shown in Figs. 3 and ibut is, in substantially all other positions of the operating member, in slidable engagement with the end I3 as shown in Fig. 5.

. In order to protect thev resilient control means just described'from damage and ykeep out'dirt, I provide a protecting cover shown partly broken away in Fig. 3. This cover may bev kept in place on the disk 6I by suitable means, such as screws 1I.

j spring 36 is then effective to turn the operating member clockwise to move thecontact I 5 against During this movement, the

the parts returned to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. While this clockwise movement .of the operating member is taking place, frictional damping due to the movement of the ,spring 59 on and relatively to the end I3 of the operating member and the fulcrum 63 and the movement of the plunger 32 in its opening is again eiective yto eliminate spring oscillations Assuming the parts positioned as` shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, then the biasingmeans comprising the spring 36 provides a clockwise torque on the operating member I3 tomaintain kthe contacts I0 and I2 closed which, under ordinary operation oi my invention as a keying relay, would keep the antenna connected to the receiver so that the operator of the craft, in which the equipment is located, could listenin at all times.

Under these conditions, the short leg of the I' spring 59 is just clear of the end I3 of the op- A erating member I3, shown more clearly in Fig. 4.

The spring 59, therefore, does not exert any pressure on the member I3 opposing vthe bias of the spring 36. If now it is desired to actuate the remodications that fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by `Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A relay comprising a plurality of contacts `and means for actuating one of saidv contacts to cause it to engage eitherof twoof theremaining `contacts comprising an operating member fulcrumed at a point intermediate its ends and carrying at oneend said one contact, biasing means adjacent the fulcrumy of said operlay for transmission, then the circuit of the windings 38 is controlled from a suitable source through the usual key `to leads connected to the two intermediate terminals 53 shown in Fig. 1. Other auxiliary contacts 5I and 50, shown on the lower side` of the shaft 55, may be used to enkergize the transmitter circuit. Whenfthe electromagnet is energized, the shaft is rotated counter-clockwise from thek position `shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5. Immediately upon such rotation the lower end oi' the spring 59 engages the end I3 of the operating member and the longer leg of the spring is deformed from the straight condition shown in Fig. 4 to the slightly reversed curve condition shown in Fig. 5 by reason of the force exerted .by the end I3 against the end of the spring 59 and about the fulcrum 63. During kthis action, in accordance with my invention, the end of the spring 59 moves on and along the end I3' of the operating member, and there is also ay 'slight movement of the spring 59 on and relatively to the fulcrum' 63. Each of these relative sliding movements produces a frictional damping which is highly effectivein preventing oscillatory spring movements to avoid contact bouncing. Atthe same time frictional damping of the operating member I3 results from the sliidng movement of the plunger 32 in its opening in the head projection 34. In other words, during the countern clockwise movement of thev shaft 45, energy is stored in the spring 59 up to the maximum con- Vdition shown in Fig. 5. This energy stored in the spring 59, as will'be obvious, tends to turn the operating member counter-clockwise to maintain the contacts I0 and II in the closed position Without bouncingr under the turning action of the electromagnetic means and the -counter torque of the spring 36. Immediately upon deating member for turning the operating member ina direction to cause the contact thereon to engage one of said two contacts, resilient means positioned on the same side ofthe fulcrum as 4 said biasing meansand adjacent the other end of said member for sliding engagement therewith,

and electromagnetic means effective through said resilient means to turn said operating memj ber in' a direction to cause the contact thereon to engage the other of said two contacts and to vcause said resilient means to cumulate energy foririctionally damping said member during sliding engagement therewith whereby to prevent bouncing of the member under the turning action of said electromagnetic means and said biasing means.

"2. A relay comprising a plurality of contacts and means fory actuating one of said contacts `to cause it to engage either of two oi the remainenergization ofthe windings 33', however, the ai-l y' mature is promptly returned to its unattracted position under the bias of the spring 46. The

ing contacts rcomprising an operating member fulcrumed at a point intermediate its ends and carrying at onevend said one contact, means for Vturning said operating member in a direction to cause the contact thereon to engage one of said two contacts, resilient means v positioned adjacent the other end of said member for sliding engagement therewith, and electromagnetic means for causing said sliding engagement effecytive through said resilient means to turn said operating member in a direction to cause the contact thereon to engage the other of said two contacts and to cause said resilient means to cumulate energy `for frictionally damping said member ,during sliding engagement therewith wherebygto prevent bouncing of the member under the turning action of said electromagnetic means.

3. A relay comprising a plurality of contacts and means for actuating one of said contacts to cause it to engage either of two of the remaining contacts comprising an operating member fulcrumed at a point intermediate its ends and carrying at one end said one contact, biasing means adjacent the fulcrum of said operating member for turning the operating member in one direction to cause the contact thereon to engage one of said two contacts and arranged to have energy stored'therein during movement of the operating member in the opposite direction, resilient means positioned on the same side of said biasing means and adjacent the other end oi said member, movable into sliding engagement therewith, and electromagnetic means for moving said resilient means into sliding engagement with said member effective through said resilient means to turn the member in a direction to cause the contact thereon to engage the other of said two contacts and to cause said resilient means to cumulate energy for frictionally damping said member during sliding engagement therewith whereby to prevent contact bouncing under the turning action of said electromagnetic means and said biasing means.

4. A relay comprising a plurality of contacts and means for actuating one of said contacts to cause it to engage either -of two oi' the remaining contacts comprising an operating member fulcrumed at a point intermediate its ends and carrying at one end said one contact, means for turning said 'operating member in a direction tocause the contact thereon to engage one of said two contacts, resilient means positioned adjacent the other end of said member and movable into sliding engagement therewith, electromagnetic means for moving said resilient means into sliding vengagement with said operating member effective through said resilient means to turn the member in a direction lto cause the contact thereon to engage the other of said two contacts and to cause said resilient means to cumulate energy for frictionally damping said member during sliding engagement therewith, and means for r'eversely moving said resilient means to dissipate the energy stored therein.

5. A relay comprising three contacts, and means for actuating one of said contacts to cause it to engage either of the remaining two contacts comprising an operating memberfulcrumed at a point intermediate its ends anti carrying at one end said one contact, biasing meansr adacent the fulcrum of said operatixr'g member for turning the member in one direction to cause the contact thereon to engage one of said two remaining contacts, resilient means adjacent the other end of said operating member movable into sliding engagement therewith for mechanically damping the movement of the member to prevent contact bouncing, and electromagnetic means for moving said resilient means into sliding engagement with the member effective through'said resilient means to turn the member in a direction to cause the .contact thereon to engage the other of said remaining two contacts whereby to cause said resilient means to exert a frictional damping eiect during sliding engagement with the member for preventing contact bouncing under'the turning action of said electromagnetic means and said biasing means.

6. A relay comprising two stationary contacts. a cooperating contact, and means for actuating said cooperating contact to cause it to engage either of said stationary contacts comprising an operating member fulcrumed at a point intermediate its ends and carrying said cooperating contact at one end, means intermediate the fulerum and the other end of said operating member for turning the member in a direction to cause said cooperating contact to engage one of said stationary contacts, and means for turning said operating member in a direction to cause said cooperating contact to engage the other of laid stationary contacts comprising a shaft, electromagnetic means for turning said shaft in one direction from an initial position through a pne determined angle to a final position, means for turning said shaft 'in the opposite direction to said initial position, and resilient means forming a driving connection between said shaft and the other end of said member movablerelatively to and on the member during movement oi.' the shaft from the initial position to the iinal position, said resilient means being arranged to cumulate energy during such shaft movement for mechanically damping said operating member in its engagement with said other contact and ,to dissipate such energy during the return movefulcrum of said operating member for turning the operating member in a direction to cause the separation ot said contacts, resilient means positioned adjacent the other end of said member for movement into sliding engagement therewith, and actuating means for causing said sliding engagement effective through said resilient means toturn said operating member in a direction to cause the engagement of said contacts and to cause said resilient means and said biasing means to cumulate energy for preventing bouncing of said member under the turning action of said electromagnetic means and said biasing means.

8. A relay comprising a plurality of contacts and means for actuating one of said contacts to cause'it to engage either of two of the remaining contacts comprising an operating member fulcrumed at a point intermediate its ends and carrying at one end said one contact, biasing means comprising two rectilinearly relatively movable slidably engageable members adjacent the fulcrum of said operating member for turning the operating member in a direction to cause the contact thereon to engage one of said two contacts, resilient means positioned adjacent the other end of said member and electromagnetic means effective through said resilient means to turn said operating member in a direction to cause the contact thereon to engage the other of said two contacts and to cause relative movement of said slidably engageable members for preventing contact bouncing under the turning action of said electromagnetic means and said biasing means.

9. A relay comprising relatively movable cooperating contacts and means,for eilecting relative movement of said contacts to cause engagement thereof comprising a pivoted operating member carrying one of said contacts, means for turning said operating member in one direction to cause said contact engagement, resilient means positioned to be moved into sliding engagement with said member upon movement of said turning means in said one direction to effect movement of the member in adirection to cause said contact engagement and to cause said resilient means to cumulate energy for frictionally damping said member during sliding engagement therewith whereby to prevent; contact bouncing under the turning action of said turning means.

i0. A relay comprising a plurality of relatively movable contacts and means for effecting relative movement of said contacts to cause engagement thereof comprising a pivoted operating member carrying one of said contacts, biasing means for turning the operating member in a direction to cause separation of said contacts, resilient means positioned to be moved into frictional engagement with said member for effecting movement thereof in a direction to cause engagement of said contacts, and actuating means effective through said resilient means to. turn said member in a direction to cause engagement of said contacts and to cause said resilient means to cumulate energy for frictionally damping said member during sliding engagement therewith whereby to prevent Contact bouncing under the turning action of said actuating means and said biasing means.

1l. A relay comprising relatively movable cooperating contacts and means for effecting relative movement of said contacts comprising a pivoted operating member carrying one of said contacts, means biasing said member to an initial position to effect separation of said contacts and means for turning said member from said initial position against the bias thereon in a direction tocause engagement of said contacts comprising a rotatably mounted element, resilient means mounted on said element so as to be just clear of engagement with said member when the member is in the initial position, means carried by said clement for moving said resilient means into sliding engagement with sad member to effect movement thereof to the contact engaging position when said element is turned in a predetermined direction and to stress said resilient means, and means for rotating said element in said predetermined direction.

12. A relay comprising a plurality of contacts and means for actuating one of said contacts to cause it to engage either of two of the remaining contacts comprising an operating member fulcrumed at a point intermediate'its ends and carrying at one end said one contact, biasing means comprising two relatively movable engaging members adjacent the fulcrum of said operat ing member for turning the operating member in a direction to cause the contact thereon to engage one of said two contacts, a rotatable element, a curved spring mounted on said element and having one end arranged for sliding engagement with said operating member, stressing means rigidly supported on said rotatable element and comprising a fulcrum in engagement with said spring at an intermediate point thereof, said stressing means acting upon rotation of said element in a predetermined direction to eiect sliding engagement between said end of the spring and said operating member and to stress the spring to eiect movement of the member to engage the other'of said two contacts, and means for rotating said element in said predetermined direction.

13. A relay comprising relatively movable cooperating contacts and means for effecting relative movement of said contacts comprising a pivoted operating member carrying one of said contacts, means tending to move said member to an initial position, and means for-turning said member from said initial position in a direction to cause engagement of said contacts comprising a rotatably mounted element, resilient means -mounted on said element for sliding engagement with said operating member, means carried by said element for eiecting a relatively sliding Amovement of said resilient means and said member when said element is turned in a predetermined direction and to stress said resilient means, an dmeans for rotating said element in said predetermined direction.

EDWARD A. LEACH. 

